ENGINEERED WOOD DECARBONISES THE ENVIRONMENT

Timber is being used successfully worldwide as a renewable and long-term solution to climate change and urbanisation. Technological advancements are engineering wood with a stronger strength-to-weight ratio, and in the case of cross-laminated timber, thin layers of wood are laid crossways before being bonded and compressed together.

From a South African perspective, wood is sourced from sustainably managed tree plantations; the forest products sector is the only one to have the trifecta of green solutions when it comes to carbon sequestration by trees in managed forests, and the substitution of carbon-intensive materials with wood-based products.

Timber has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional building materials such as concrete and steel. It also maintains a carbon-negative status throughout its life cycle, from initial production to disposal, and it sequesters more carbon than it emits during processing and installation.

Several industry players, architects and construction engineers are focused on making engineered wood more accessible to the local market. Wood lends itself to modular and off-site methods of construction, with improved efficiency and performance. Buildings are prefabricated off-site, allowing for quicker on-site assembly and minimised disruption, dust and noise.

Through initiatives such as the Forestry Master Plan and partnerships with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the needle can be shifted in favour of using locally grown and processed timber. Both the University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University have a strong wood science focus, helping to educate a new generation of architects and construction engineers.

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